Tuesday Tips: Reduce false alarms

False alarms are a waste of time and resources for everyone: you, emergency responders, and your alarm monitoring company. And in municipalities with false alarm ordinances and permit requirements, it can earn you a hefty fine if police or fire respond and there’s nothing wrong.

Perhaps worst of all, when you have many false alarms with your monitored alarm system, people will start to ignore them, which means in the event of a real emergency, you are up a creek, so to speak. So what to do to reduce them? Read on.

Reducing False Alarms: A How To Guide

* Test your system once a month to ensure that it is working properly. Let more about doing that with your MyMonitronics account here.

* Keep your emergency contact up to date so that if your system goes off and we can’t reach you, one of them can either turn off the system or let you know about it. You can also do this with your MyMonitronics account.

* Train all expected visitors, like babysitters, housekeepers, or friends, on how to operate you system.

* Make sure your system is configured for your pets. Monitronics offers pet-immune motion detectors that “recognize” pets up to about 45 pounds.

* If you remodel your home and make interior changes, like adding drapes, moving large furniture, or adding ceiling fans, review your security system design with your authorized Monitronics dealer to ensure continued comprehensive protection.

* Secure all doors and windows so that they won’t trigger an alarm if blown open.

* Do not intentionally set off your monitored alarm for any reason other than a crime, fire, or medical emergency.

* False alarms are often triggered by circuit breakers that are not powered–keep on top of that.

* Clean the sensor lens on your smoke detectors and motion sensors regularly. Bugs, gunk or dust
can trigger an alarm.

* Keep batteries fresh and within their expiration date.

* Adjust your system so that an alarm signal will sound for no longer than 10 minutes after being activated.